Wildcrafted Medicine: The Super Healing Powers of CALENDULA
Every aspect of life is better when you're healthy, so we present to you the potency of wildcrafted medicine!
Knowledge is power; you can take responsibility for your own wellbeing when you know your options.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a member of the marigold family. It is said to bloom on the first few days of the Roman calendar month (the "calends", which corresponded to the new moon cycle), hence the name. It is respected as a wildflower, grows cultivated as a beautiful ornamental in gardens, and has been used for healing throughout history all across the world!
The portion of the calendula plant that appears to be the flower is actually a specialized structure called an inflorescence.
Calendula has bright yellow to orange daisy-esque flowers. The flower heads are actually composed of wee little florets that blossom according to the geometric pattern of the Fibonnacci sequence, radiating out into the petals (which are specialized flowers themselves called ray florets). The hairy, oblong leaves are a rich green and alternate up the main stalk. The plant grows 40-70 cm tall (that's about 16"-28" for Americans) with a deep taproot.
Calendula contains essential oils, salicylic acid, phytosterols, carotenoids, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins.
Calendula is used for cooking, teas, dyes, and as oil and skin tonic. The flowers and leaves are edible. The dried plant can be used as tea, tincture, or oil. Crushed fresh leaves can be applied to wounds.
Calendula healing powers:
- increases blood flow
- antibacterial & analgesic effects
- antispasmodic
- supports healthy skin
- heals wounds
- improves digestion
- antiviral
- anti-inflammatory
- detoxes through promotion of bile flow and induction of sweating
- fever reducer
- stimulates blood flow in pelvis, regulating menstruation
- can abort a weak pregnancy
- encourages healthy liver & lymphatic system
- alleviates sore throat
- anticancer
- promotes oral health
You can add calendula leaves and petals to egg salad! Add the petals to baked goods from cornbread to muffins to cake. The petals make a lovely addition to salads and sandwiches too.
To use calendula as a skin tonic, boil a cup of water and pour over fresh petals. Allow to cool then spray on skin.
References
http://www.britannica.com/plant/Asteraceae
http://www.botanical-online.com/english/calendula_plant.htm
https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/calendula-flowers/profile
www.intothegardenofeden.com
The calendula plant is waaaaaay more versatile than I thought! Prior to this, I had no idea that it's properties were medicinal at all! It was just another pretty marigold I saw people growing in their flower gardens... I appreciate the educational experience! :-D
Also, you mentioned the flower-part (the inflorescence) displaying the Fibonnacci sequence... I'm sure you know this as well - but almost all (if not truly ALL) flowers and pine cones (...and other reproductive planty pieces?) display the Fibonnacci sequence too! It's almost as if nature itself is trying to tell us something... :-)
Grateful to be able to share the wisdom!
I'm Super excited to see all this awesome info about this amazing herb. The international herbal organization voted it the Herb of the year a few years back because it is so awesome. The next time I make egg salad I'm gonna add some to the blend.
Cool, Herb of the Year! That's some proper respect.
upvoted
Thank you!
There is really so much to say.
Firstly nature is abundant and with whatever danger there is there are also solutions. This is just one such example of the healing power of nature!
Next is that there really are few posts on Steemit this valuable yet few ecmven comprehend this let alone give it the value it really is worth.
I hope this inspires not just gardening people but non gardening people, all these inside techs that could benefit majorly from some nature medicine!
Keep up the good work, sharing content of real value. I recognize it even if most don't~*~
They look soon beautiful :))
I use calendula essential oil in my homemade lip balm. Good stuff!